Psalm 37

After taking my own notes regarding the overall theme of this one, I read the study notes in my NKJV and liked the way they worded it:
 " ....its basic theme is to commend trust in God for everyday living in the face of wickedness and temptation, because despite temporary prosperity, the wicked must ultimately fail."

Fret:   what does that mean.  Without looking it up, I'd say it means to stew over something.  To mull over something perceived as unjust, unfair or just plain wrong.  To worry about things you have no control over and really do not affect you.  To hang on to perceived injustices, refusing to let them go,.

Hmmmmm......I looked it up, and my definition is a bit wordy.....but I found something interesting.  Two meanings:    1.  to be visibly worried or anxious.    2.gradually wear away something by rubbing or gnawing.     

See verse 8:  "do not fret, it only causes harm."  Fretting gradually wears away our joy and peace by rubbing and gnawing at our hearts, minds, and souls.    Hmmmmmm......

Several times through the Psalm, David tells his reader to not fret over the wicked who seem to prosper and not receive the justice due him.  It may look like he prospers now, but his demise is coming, of this David is sure.  The wicked will:  be cut down, wither, be no more, be laughed at by God (I like that one :-)  ), fall by his own schemes, suffer from the weight of the burden he carries (arms broken), perish, and be cut off.

The one who delights in the Lord, however, will:  inherit the earth, have his desires met, delight in abundant peace, be upheld by God, have his inheritance forever (contrast Psalm 17:14...the wicked have their portion in this life, leave it to their little ones, and then are no more), not be ashamed, be blessed, and will fall, but not permanently because God upholds him.

We are called to action.....not laziness and complacency.  Note the action verbs: trust, dwell, delight, commit, rest, cease, forsake, wait, depart, ......do.

Don't fret.   Do the things commanded.  David has lived a full life, and knows the promises of God to be true.....He will not forsake the righteous, or his descendants.

When we learn God's law, and keep it in our hearts, our steps will be sure.(v 31)
When we wait on the Lord, and keep His way, He will exalt us o inherit the land. (v 34)  and we will see the      wicked cut off.

God is intimately involved with His own.  He knows our ways, orders our steps,  is our strength and upholds us in the day of trouble.

verse 39-49 end the song well:  But the salvation of the righteous if from the Lord;  He is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;  He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

So don't fret.
But instead, be busy about delighting in the Lord and His Word, living in full obedience to him no matter what you see going on around you.  You take care of your own ways, and leave the wicked to Him.